With Justin Upton circulating in trade rumors once again, many have speculated that the Rangers could be a perfect fit. We’re still in the early days of the Hot Stove, so things could change in a hurry, but a deal appears unlikely right now.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Rangers aren’t willing to include Elvis Andrus or top prospect Jurickson Profar in a swap for Upton. Joel Sherman of the New York Postreported this morning that the Diamondbacks don’t love Mike Olt as a centerpiece of a deal and would prefer Andrus or Profar, so unless somebody eventually blinks, the two clubs won’t be a match.

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic caught up with Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers tonight, whosaid that he’s in “no rush” to make a deal and doesn’t expect to make a trade for a frontline starting pitcher, “even in an Upton deal.” This would seem to indicate that he’s targeting a third baseman or shortstop.

Upton, 25, is set to earn $9.75 million in 2013, $14.25 million in 2014, and $14.5 million in 2015. Andrus, 24, will earn $4.8 million next season and $6.475 million in 2014 before hitting free agency.

They’re not going to trade for Kinsler, although he’s a nice player, because that’s not what they need. They already have one of the top second basemen in the league. The idea of trading Upton is that they can still be pretty solid in the outfield and they can get better in another position. They’re not going to get worse in the OF so they can have an extra guy that doesn’t really fit in anywhere.

Andrus is a younger, more accomplished player at a premium position. Not to mention a much more cerebral player and cheaper as well. Profar is the number one prospect in baseball. I see no logical reason to move either for Upton.

Can’t agree. Andrus’ defense isn’t that good, and his offense is only mediocre. Profar is close to ready to step in. Upton has upside that looks very similar to Hamilton, at a price significantly lower than what he will cost.

Profar/Upton is likely very similar to Andrus/Hamilton over the next few years, but younger and with potentially higher upside.

Andrus is younger and cheaper, but I don’t think you can call him more accomplished unless you’re talking about the quality of his team. He shouldn’t get any extra points for having good teammates. How do you define “more cerebral”, anyway? That description is worth about as much as the bandwidth used to post it on the internet.

And to the cheaper point, do you think that he’s going to be cheaper in 2 years? I don’t. Upton signed his contract when the team still had years of control. Andrus is going to be a free agent when he signs his next contract.

I semi-agree with Reflex. Andrus is a below average to average hitter. I think that he has a very good glove, however. If I’m the Rangers I would love to go forward with Profar/Upton because both of those guys are young and very good.

jjbelt: within no earthly criteria is Andrus a ‘younger more accomplished player than Justin Upton’.

Reflex: Via my eyes and supported by the metrics – Andrus is above average to very good in the D department – and at 24, likely to continue to improve – not to mention a top of the order caliber hitter with significant playoff experience. And while he’ll probably never be a 30 HR hitter like JUpton, I believe he could develop some additional power in the 10-20 HR range.

Having said all that, I can’t believe the Rangers would trade Profar under too many scenarios, and certainly none that doesn’t involve a Matt Harvey/Matt Barnes level pitching prospect – so the Rangers are likely playing chicken until they get a better idea of how the trade market will shake out. That, or they are making it clear they expect pitching in return for Andrus. OR, they won’t trade either because one or the other is ticketed for the OF.

From an organizational standpoint, it probably makes most sense for the Rangers to hold on to both players. Give Profar the SS job and keep Andrus tucked away in OF in case Profar struggles mightily. If Profar performs well and Andrus is showing that he’s adept at adapting to OF, then win/win. Hamilton has been very streaky – especially this year.

The bottom line is if the Rangers are Serious on Upton in place of Hamilton then one of the SS are gonna have to be dealt. Andrus is ideal cause the dbacks don’t care if Andrus leaves in two years they got there SS in the minors just not ready yet. I think the Rays and Indians have a better shot at Upton at this point. Indians Cabrera and Masterson or Shields and Hellickson